"Here are your New Year's presents, don't break them..." 1870

Curator: Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Here are your New Year's presents, don't break them..." depicting the years 1869 and 1870. Editor: The stark contrast immediately grabs me. There's a lightness and fragility in the lines depicting the child, juxtaposed with the darker, more defined figure of the woman. Curator: Indeed. Daumier was deeply critical of the political climate in France. The child, representing 1870, is being given a gift of broken masks symbolizing the politicians of 1869, suggesting the instability of the government. Editor: The masks themselves are intriguing. The exaggerated features and almost grotesque expressions speak volumes about Daumier’s commentary on the power dynamics at play. Curator: His work reflects a broader concern for social justice. It challenges viewers to confront the realities of political corruption and inequality in a time of significant upheaval. Editor: The composition—the woman's warning gesture, the child's uncertain gaze—it all contributes to a feeling of impending doom. What a potent statement through simple lines!